The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s is shrouded in both monumental achievements and devastating losses. Through various methods and types of demonstrations, important figures such as Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, and Dr. King, although faced with adversity, malice, and violence, made leaps and bounds for their respective cause. Through the unification of their efforts, along with that of thousands of supporters and other important leaders, the stage was set for the advancement towards equality for not only African American citizens but anyone subjected to unjust treatment. Unfortunately, the progress that was made during these trying times came at a tremendous cost. At the hands of those who bitterly opposed the Civil Rights Movement, violence towards protestors and activists ran rampant. High-pressure fire hoses, police dogs, and hand-to-hand attacks were used in an attempt to suppress the desire to continue the fight for integration and overall equality. One such event – perhaps one of the most appalling of the time – was the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On …show more content…
King. Many believe that he was merely a scapegoat used to cover up a more elaborate conspiracy to silence the influential Dr. King. Not unlike the assassination of another important figure in the Civil Rights Movement, President John Kennedy, whose assassin was killed in cold blood just days after the death of the president, the truth behind Dr. King’s death may never be fully known. In fact, Dexter King, one of Dr. King’s sons, personally visited James Earl Ray in prison and expressed that he did not believe that Ray had anything to do with his father’s death. For James Earl Ray, however, before he could ever convince the world to believe his story, he met his death as a result of kidney failure and an ongoing bout with liver
Civil rights, a significant issue of the 60s, reached a climax in 1968 and hatched a novel approach racial strive. Even though Martin Luther King Jr. had waged a successful campaign of peaceful protests in US southern states, a growing number of younger activists began to feel that nonviolent tactics could not
The civil rights movement of the sixties is one of the most controversial times of the last century. Many, if not all, who lived through that time, and the generations following were enormously impacted. At the time passions ran so high that violence at peaceful
The Civil Rights Movement is understood as the collected efforts of many different groups and individuals struggling to achieve justice and equal treatment for all Americans. Several events shaped the time period, particularly those that either showed the extent of injustice and unfair or violent treatment, as well as took direct action against injustice. Additionally, significant events were those where Civil Rights leaders could celebrate a concrete victory, such as a court decision or a change in law. Moreover, the organizing principles and philosophies of the movement changed as different leaders and
In 1968, the civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jnr. was assassinated while standing on his second-floor balcony in Memphis Tennessee. A man from Illinios named James Earl Ray was arrested shortly after and was charged with King’s murder.
Do you believe Martin Luther King’s assassination was just or unjust? Keep reading to find out. “On the balcony of the Lorraine Motel on April 4, he was shot to death by James Earl Ray(Peak,1).” Before his death King was a civil rights activist that fought for civil rights by leading marches and protest. King also believed in nonviolent protest even if people threatened or harmed King or the people he led.
This day in history on April 4 1968 Martin Luther King Jr got assassinated by a man named James Earl Ray. Today marks fifty years since Martin Luther King got assassinated. Martin Luther King jr was only 39 when he died. His death shocked many people in many different cities and many people were very upset. Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated on the second floor balcony near his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where he had been supporting black sanitation workers on strike for better pay and working conditions.
Finally, the end of who left the legacy behind him. November 22, 1963, JFK got killed by the hand of Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas. Two shots gun came through his head. Moreover, the trip of JFK to re-election it was the end of his life. The death of JFK it was critical case and took 50 years to end it. This assassination shows that the presidents have to get the enough security before go anywhere. Hence, being arrogant end the life of JFK by a pair of shots in his
Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. This sent shock around the world. The night of April 3, he gave a speech at the Mason Temple Church in Memphis. Martin Luther King Jr. was standing on the second-floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel, where he was staying. The bullet hit him in the neck, right then he was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead an hour later at the age of 39. All hell broke loose when people heard about his death which made people riot in more than 100 cities around the country, including burning and looting. On April 19, fingerprints on the rifle and other
Should you die because you want equal rights? Martin Luther King Jr. died in Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4,1968. Dr. king was shot by James Earl Ray, Memphis police officer, who was hired by Lord Jowers. James Ray was arrested on June 8,1968 and was sentenced to 99 years. The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. was unjust because he was nonviolent and fought for equality; However some believed that he had too much power.
On the Infamous day of April 4, 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated, and many Americans were infuriated. Dr. King was a symbol of hope and destroying him crushed the dreams of many African Americans across the country. One US senator, Robert F. Kennedy was called to give a speech to these devastated Americans. As he approached the crowd, chaos ruled. People were angry. They were yelling out and wanted answers. Kennedy began speaking, and slowly the crowd quieted down. Wanting to unite them together, he began by announcing the death of their beloved leader. He was somber and related to them on an emotional level. He slowly earned their trust throughout his speech and ended up giving hope and uniting together these American in a common cause for freedom.
This biography by James Haskins covers King’s childhood and upbringing all the way up to his assassination on April 4, 1968. Haskins also adds the backstory on King’s assassin: James Earl Ray and the man hunt that ensued after. King was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He and his father were both named Michael King at birth but when the family traveled to Germany in 1934 King Senior decided to rename himself and his son after the protestant leader Martin Luther. King Junior grew up in Atlanta and attended Booker T. Washington High School. During the summer he worked at a local tobacco farm where he worked side by side with whites and experienced very little racism. Growing up, his father
In a popular tv show called, “The Boondocks”, there was an episode where the main character, Huey Freeman, speculated what would happen if Martin Luther King Jr. was alive today. In this alternate universe, Dr. King entered a coma after his attempted assassination in 1968 and woke up thirty years later in 2000. When he woke up, he is saddened that his dreams of peace and equality have not rung true in the contemporary world. The 9/11 attacks, Iraq War and the current state of the African American community caused King to become disillusioned with the world. Disappointed that the sacrifices of the civil rights movement and his ideas of peace never impacted people, King dies heartbroken. It is an interesting thought to speculate how historical
For one thing the movement itself was very slow moving and was met with a lot of resistance. In little Rock Arkansas, nine black students were blocked from an all-white school under the orders of Governor Orval Guard. Eisenhower had to intervene and send members of the National Guard to escort these students to class. Another instance of the movement being met with resistance was in October of 1962. Riots broke out after James Meredith began to attend school as the first black student to attend the University of Mississippi. These riots made it difficult for him to attend his classes and Kennedy had to send federal troops to aid against the riots. There was so much resistance with the Civil Rights Movement that it sometimes became violent. During the Freedom Rides, the student volunteers were met with angry white men and women who would beat both the black and white Freedom Riders, and shout a slew of insults, chase the bus down, and throw fire bombs. There were countless instances of violence, particularly in the south, aimed towards black activist, however, there were countless times where violence turned to murder. One really well known case was that of Emmett Till. He was a fourteen year old boy who was visiting his family in Mississippi. He had been kidnapped, beaten and shot for supposedly whistling at a young white woman. After being found in the river, the men who murdered him were caught and arrested only to later be acquitted. Another instance of black activists being murdered is the most well know murder of the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King was shot on the balcony of his hotel room by James Earl Ray on April 4th 1968. The Civil Rights Movement was met with resistance and tremendous amounts of violence and murder, however the tenacity of the black community is what made it an inspirational time for those who were willing to see it as
All throughout the history of the United States, a major problem that had plagued Americans, most specifically African-Americans, was racism. As a result of the oppression due to racism, the Civil Rights Movement in the mid-1900s helped to fight for equality and integration among all states for blacks. After the American Civil War, which was fought between 1861 to 1865, all the slaves were freed and became citizens if they were born in the United States. Even after naturally born blacks became citizens, and were given all the rights that the title has in 1865, they were still being treated unfairly and like unequal to whites for the next hundred years. In an attempt to mandate equality, both white and black political leaders took a stand against inequality with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and U.S President John F. Kennedy at the helm. Dr. King believed in nonviolent protests that would allow gradual integration, while Malcolm X had a radical, militaristic view of civil rights and did not want blacks and whites to integrate. President Kennedy wanted to put legislation in place to end public and educational segregation and increase federal protection of voting rights. These three men were assassinated in cold blood for their beliefs in an attempt to weaken the civil rights movement, however, their deaths only helped to strengthen the cause and create a sense of unity in the United States rather than disorder. Between 1960 and 1970, the assassinations of John F.